20 



— — Quamvis primo nutet casura sub Kiiro, 

 Pondere fixa suo est.* 



Every attempt at improvement is reprobated, as the first 

 step to innovation, the parent of revolution. It is appre- 

 hended, that if one stone should be taken away, from the 

 structure of ancient abuse and prejudice, the whole would 

 fall to the ground. " Conscious -j- that it will not bear 

 " examination, the government of the Divan wraps itself 

 " up in impenetrable m3^stery. The prince, enclosed in 

 " his seraglio, cannot leave his luxurious abode, without 

 " alarm to those who keep him confined." We know what 

 an opposition and alarm have been created:]: in Turkey, by 

 some attempts of the present emperor to introduce certain 

 modern improvements. All enquiry creates alarm; as it 

 might produce an examination, which Avould lead to re- 

 sistance, and end in the overthrow of the government. 

 Philosophy and science, must, therefore, be proscribed, as 

 dangerous. And though, in general, a despotism may re- 

 quire, more than other governments, the practical exer- 

 tions of philosophy, it is not favourable to philosophical 

 discussions or writings. The despot fears them; because 

 they lead to a doubt of his rights, and an examination of 

 the foundation of his authority. The inquisitive spirit of 

 philosophy is precisely what is calculated to excite the 



strongest 



* Lucan. f Montesquieu. J By the Ulemas. 



